Why Should We Be Thankful? | Bible Study | Mike Prah
As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, we can be more focused on the stress of the holidays, the mishaps, and past challenges, or we can be thankful.
Most people can mentally access the challenging times in their lives much easier than the rewarding ones. Why do you think that is? What is it about challenges that make them so easy to remember?
As believers, we are better off because of life challenges because of how God has shown up in our challenges.
The consistency of God’s blessings appears to dull our gratitude at times. To allow gratitude to rise in our hearts, we must completely FOCUS on the fact that God is always faithful, always loving, and always good.
Bible Teaching on Focus
“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7 (NLT)
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NLT)
“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT)
Why Should We Be Thankful?
1. We Must Be Thankful for OUR FAITH and Union With God and Jesus
“… others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession … because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:13, 15 (NIV)
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)
2. We Must Be Thankful for Our Family
“Timothy, I thank God for you … I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.” 2 Timothy 1:3,5 (NLT)
3. We Must Be Thankful for Our Christian Friends
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.” Romans 1:8 (NIV)
“Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly” Ephesians 1:15-16 (NLT)
“Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing” 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NLT)
“When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” Romans 1:12 (NLT)
4. We Must Be Thankful for God’s Gracious Provision
“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Psalm 106:1 (NIV)
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1 (NIV)
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them … tell of His works with songs of joy.” Psalm 107:21-22 (NIV)
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Praise the Lord, who carries our burdens day after day; He is the God who saves us.” Psalm 68:19 (GN)
5. We Must Be Thankful for Our Future
“You will also thank the Father, who has made you able to share the light, which is what God’s people inherit. God has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of his Son, whom he loves.” Colossians 1:12-13 (GW)
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)